Unlike many other Akodo, he had never heard the whisper of his guiding ancestors. He had always wondered if their silence was due to their desire to let him aspire to greatness on his own, or a judgment for some destined failure. [6] The Kitsu told him that his only recourse was to struggle even harder to prove oneself. Since that day, Ijiasu found great comfort in the Kitsu's advice. [7]

When the Dragon-Phoenix War began, the Lion joined their allies, the Phoenix. Ijiasu marched his forces north to the Dragon lands, directly to Kyuden Tonbo, in 1158. A terrified Tonbo soldier lost his nerve and released an arrow upon the Lion forces, and Ijiasu announced the command to attack. In this way, he kept the Lion's promise to never initiate hostilities with the Dragonfly, yet avenged a centuries old insult to his clan. Kyuden Tonbo and the Dragonfly were almost completely destroyed. [3]

When the Tsuno assaulted the Hall of Ancestors and Kitsu Tombs he assumed command of his border patrol after his gunso's death, and successfully defended the outpost to which he was assigned. Although the Tsuno still reached their objective Ijiasu was commended for his valor and recieved a field promotion to gunso. [2]

The Lion decided that they could not aid the Phoenix and defend themselves from this kind of attacks. Lion withdrew their forces from the Dragon-Phoenix War. [13]

Not long after his victory over the Dragonfly that Ijiasu declared his allegiance to the Shogun, Akodo Kaneka. Ijiasu was the Shogun's right hand. [3] When Kaneka led his forces into the Yasuki lands, Ijiasu rode as his side. [14]

In 1159 Ijiasu offered aid to his ally and also Shogun's supporter Hida Hitoshi, being the Crab Clan constantly under assault from waves of the Lost. He sent Akodo Tadenori, a renowned old general under his command. Some believed Ijiasu hated Tadenori because he eclipsed Ijiasu with his legendary victories, even when Ijiasu did not know it because his honor could not afford that feelings. [15]

The Shogun was attacked in his chambers by three assassins, two died upon the Kenaka's blade and the leader fled. The Ijiasu's Lion guards of the Shogun had been killed with poisoned darts. Kaneka dismissed Ijiasu as his chief protector and appointed the Shosuro Higatsuku's Scorpion troops instead. Kaneka told Ijiasu that as Shogun he had to show no favor to his own family. [5]

After the Shogun was forced to disband his armies, Ijiasu continued his service to Matsu Nimuro and Akodo Ginawa. [3] The turn of events had devastated Ijiasu, and he foundered for some time, seeking a purpose. [14] Increased activity of Unicorn cavalry was detected near the City of the Rich Frog, and Nimuro sent him with an honor guard of the Lion Clan's finest horsemen. When the next scouting party was sighted, the Lion would show no mercy. [6]

In 1165 Ijiasu led his troops into battle against the first Unicorn scouting party his wardens located. Legions of Unicorn cavalry had emerged from the forests, outnumbering the Lion troops three to one. [6] Ijiasu hold the line against overwhelming numbers. [20] He had charged out to prove himself against the Unicorn, to prove that his skill at leading the Lion was greater than Tadenori's. Ijiasu was cut down by MotoWhite Guardsman. The spear pierced his body, shattering his spine. [21][22] Akodo Tadenori took the command of the defence of the city. [23]